Salluit stands at the far end of the narrow Sugluk Inlet, 10 km inland
from the Hudson Strait, hidden between high, rugged mountains rising close
to 500 m. Salluit being the middle point between Nunavik's 14 communities,
it is a strategic location for meetings attended by people of the Hudson
and Ungava coasts.

Though the village's name suggests that it has not always been the case,
the area is rich in wildlife and arctic plants. The coastal seabed teems
with mussels and clams. Sallumiut enjoy a variety of dishes which include
arctic char, caribou, bannock, berries, roots and herbs. The very harsh
climate endured by Sallumiut is indelibly engraved in their way of life,
endowing them with an incredible sense of survival. An explanation for
the name of this village recounts that, long ago, some Inuit were told
the region abounded in wildlife. Yet when they arrived, they found almost
nothing to eat and, as a result, suffered near starvation.

In 1958, archaeology work was carried out on Qikirtaq Island, at the
entrance of the Sugluk Inlet. The evidence collected showed that people
of the Dorset period occupied the area from approximately 800 BC to 1000
AD. The three sites excavated were named Keataina, Tyara and Toonoo. The
Sugluk Masquette, a minuscule mask 2 cm in size carved out of ivory, was
excavated from the Tyara site and dates back to about 400 BC.

In 1925, an independant trader opened a trading post on the site of present-day
Salluit. Competition was fierce however and the Hudson Bay Company (HBC)
quickly established its own post on the far shore of Sugluk Inlet. The
following year, the HBC moved to Deception Bay but, in 1930, it built
a combined store and dwelling at present-day Salluit. In 1932, it closed
its post at Deception Bay. The golden years of fur trading came to an
end around 1936 when the price of pelts plummeted.

Although a Catholic mission was established in 1930, it operated for
only some twenty years. In 1955, an Anglican mission was established and,
two years later, a federal day school was opened. As more public services
were being delivered, Inuit settled around the small village. The first
residential houses were built in 1959. Sallumiut joined together in 1968
to open a co-operative store. Salluit legally became a municipality in
1979.

Along with the inhabitants of Ivujivik and Puvirnituq, 49% of Sallumiut
refused to sign the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) in
1975. Instead they formed a movement called Inuit Tungavinga Nunamini.
Under the JBNQA, other Nunavik Inuit yielded certain land claims and rights
making it possible for the provincial government to proceed with its ambitious
La Grande hydro-electric project on James Bay.